Signature handling mechanism



Sept. 27, 1966 v. A. ZUGEL SIGNATURE HANDLING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 4, 1964 8 mm H N N MM m v m #T A, A n c MW Sept. 27, 1966 v. A. ZUGEL SIGNATURE HANDLING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1964 F iG.5

INVENTOR. V/CTOR A. Z UGEL W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,275,315 SIGNATURE HANDLING MECHANISM Victor A. Zugel, Parma, Ohio, assignor to Harris-Intertype Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,647 11 Claims. '(Cl. 270-54) The present invention relates to a mechanism for handling sheet-like articles and, more particularly, to a signature handling mechanism comprising signature conveying means for conveying folded signatures from a magazine to a signature opener means operable to open the signatures and deliver them to a signature conveyor which conveys the signatures to a binding or stapling station.

Prior art signature handling mechanisms have included a plurality of signature feeding stations at which signatures located in magazines at each of the stations are fed sequentially to a signature gatherer conveyor. The signature conveyor is operable to gather signatures into a group for delivery to a binding station where the group of signatures is bound or stapled to form a book. These prior art signature handling mechanisms have required operators on one side of the machine to replenish the supply of signatures in each of the magazines as the machine operates, as well as an operator on the other side of the machine to view the operation of the machine to see that the signature conveyor properly groups the signatures for delivery to the binding station and to make suitable adjustments to the mechanism for the handling of different size signatures. Thus, floor space must be available on both sides of the known signature handling mechanisms. Moreover, the adjustment of the signature handling mechanisms of the prior art for handling different size signatures has been complex and not completely satisfactory, particularly when the signature delivered at the various stations differ in size.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved signature handling mechanism which is compact and requires a minimum of floor space and is capable of operating with a minimum of operators at relatively high speeds and with a minimum of adjustments for handling different sizes of signatures.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved signature handling mechanism requiring little floor space and constructed so that an operator on one side of the machine may replenish the supply of signatures in a signature supply magazine, as well as view the operation of the machine and service the machine as necessary.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved signature handling mechanism having a magazine for supporting a plurality of signatures and a conveying means for conveying signatures from the magazine to opener drums which function to open the signatures and deliver the signatures to a signature or saddle conveyor, and wherein the opener drums, magazines and saddle conveyor are on the same side of the machine and accessible from the one side of the machine.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved signature handling mechanism wherein the space between a transfer drum which removes the signatures from the magazine and an endless conveyor for transferring the signatures released from the drum to a signature conveyor is kept to a minimum so as to reduce the time of transfer of the signature to the endless conveyor.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved signature handling mechanism having a transfer drum operable to grip the leading edge Patented Sept. 27, 1966 of a signature and carry the signature along a path around the periphery of the drum to a release point located at a low position on the drum and where the trailing edge of the signature settles onto an adjacent support extremely quickly and prior to further movement thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved high-speed signature handling mechanism having a support for receiving the signatures released from a transfer drum and which is curved around the drum providing for settling of the trailing edge of the signatures on the support in a minimum of time and endless conveyor means having a curved run moving in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the transfer drum at the release point and for moving the signatures from the curved support.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved signature handling mechanism having suction opener drums for opening the signatures prior to their being delivered onto a signature conveyor and wherein the opener drums and the valving mechanism for applying suction to the opener drums are simultaneously adjustable for handling different depth signatures.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved signature opener mechanism for use in a signature handling mechanism comprising sucker members adapted to engage the signatures and which are connected to a valve mechanism including a rotatable valve member and a stationary valve member, and wherein the rotatable valve member is mechanically interconnected to the suction devices so that upon movement of the suction devices for adjustment purposes, the valve member likewise is rotated so as to apply suction to the sucker members at the proper time.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings froming a part of this specification and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a signature handling mechanism embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of a portion of a signature handling mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the signature handling mechanism shown in FIG. 1, taken approximately along the section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the signature handling mechanism shown in FIG. 3, taken approximately along the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of a part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

The present invention provides a sheet-like article handling mechanism and specifically provides a signature handling mechanism or signature collating apparatus which functions to gather signatures prior to their being secured together in book form. Many features of the present invention are usable in different types of sheet-like article handling mechanisms while primarily adapted for use in a signature handling mechanism which functions to take signatures from a magazine and convey them to a signature or saddle conveyor on which successive signatures are received and grouped for delivery to a suitable binding or stapling station where the grouped signatures are formed into a book.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings comprises a signature handling or collating machine 10. The signature collating machine 10 comprises a signature or saddle conveyor 11 to which signatures are fed and on which signatures are gathered or grouped. The conveyor 11 comprises an endless conveyor which moves through a plurality of signature feeding stations, only two of which are shown in the drawings, and designated 12 and 13. At each of the stations 12, 13, a signature is fed to the signature conveyor 11 on which the signatures are grouped in book form, as is well known, for delivery to a suitable binding or stapling station, not shown, where the signatures which have been grouped are bound or stapled together to form a book.

The signature handling mechanism includes suitable mechanism located at each of the signature feeding stations for supporting a plurality of signatures to be fed to the conveyor 11. The mechanism at each of the signature feeding stations 12, 13 is substantially identical and the mechanism at the signature feeding station 12 only will be described in detail hereinbelow, and similar reference numerals will be used to designate similar parts of the mechanisms at each of the stations.

' The mechanism at the signature feeding station 12 comprises a hopper or magazine for supporting a plurality of signatures. The hopper 20 includes suitable support plates 21, 22 and feed belts 23 on which the signatures are supported. The belts 23 urge the signatures toward a forward position against a front plate 24 of the magazine 20. The signatures are supported in the magazine on their folded edge, or on their backbone, as referred to in the art. The mechanism at the signature feeding station 12 also includes a conveyor or handling mechanism operable to effect the removal of or extraction of individual signatures from the magazine 20 and transfer the signatures to the conveyor 11. The supply of signatures in the magazine may be replenished upon depletion thereof by an operator standing at a loading station adjacent the machine and located to the right of the magazine 20, as viewed in FIG. 2.

The signature feeding mechanism includes a pair of suction members 31 supported adjacent the front plate 24 of the magazine 20 and are movable toward the magazine 20 into engagement with the forwardmost signature and away from the magazine to withdraw a portion of the signature out of the magazine. The suction members 31 are oscillatable about a shaft 32 on which they are mounted. The shaft 32 has a suitable linkage mechanism 33 connected thereto and to a cam-controlled sucker operating shaft 36. The shaft 36 is oscillated at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine so as to actuate the linkage mechanism 33 to move the sucker members 31 into engagement with the forwardmost signature in the magazine 20 and to pull at least the backbone or folded edge portion of the signature out of the magazine 20.

The'signatures which are taken or extracted from the magazine by the .sucker members 31 are picked up by a transfer drum 40. The transfer dr-um 40 is supported on a shaft member41 rotatably supported on the frame of the machine, not shown, and is rotatable in a predetermined timed relationship with the movement of the signature conveyor 11. The transfer drum 40 carries at diametrically opposite portions, gripper members 42 and 43, which are adapted to grip the lower end of a signature which has been extracted from the magazine 20 by the suckers 31 in a well-known manner. The gripper members are operated at predetermined times during the rotation of the drum 40 to grip the signatures and to release the signatures by a cam means 45 which is supported on the shaft 41 and held against rotation with the shaft 41. Suitable cam follower members 47, 48 rotate on the cam 45 as the transfer drum is rotated and the follower members 47, 48 are 'operatively connected through suitable mechanisms 50 and 51, respectively, to the gripper members so as to control the operation of the gripper members as desired. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the gripper members carry the signatures downwardly and away from the magazine, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, to a release point where the grippers are opened torelease the signatures. The control and operation of the grippers are well known and will not be described in detail.

The signatures which are released by the grippers settle into a suitable supporting cradle mechanism comprised of a pair of support members 55, 56 located on opposite sides of the transfer drum 40 and immediately beneath the transfer drum. The support members 55 and 56 are spaced on the opposite sides of the transfer drum 40' so as to support the opposite edge portions of a signature. As best shown in FIG. 1, the support members have a signature supporting surface 57 curved around the transfer drum.

The rear portion 57a of the surface 57, namely, the portion remote from the magazine 20, and adjacent the release point, is curved approximately similar to the curve of the periphery of the drum 40. The forward portion 57b of the surface 57, namely, the portion near the magazine 20, preferably has a curvature greater than the transfer drum and as shown in the drawings is substantially straight.

The surface 57 and the periphery of the drum, because of the above construction, may be said to define therebetween a channel 58 through which the signatures move. When the leading edges or backbone of a signature is at the gripper release point, the opposite leading edge portions of the signature preferably are resting on or immediately adjacent the surfaces 57 of the support members 55, 56, respectively. When a signature is released by the grippers, the leading edge or backbone engages the surface 57 and the trailing edge of the signature settles onto the forward surface portions 57b of the members 55, 56. Since the forward portion 57b of the surface 57 is preferably curved or inclined upwardly, as shown in the drawings, toward and around the transfer drum, the distance through which the trailing edge of the signatures move to settle on the supports 55, 56 is held to a minimum.

The signatures which are supported on the cradle mechanism are moved therefrom in a direction generally opposite the direction to which the signatures were moved by the transfer drum 40 and toward the loading station and generally the side of the machine on which the magazine 20 is located. The signature-s resting on the cradle mechanism are moved therefrom by a suitable conveyor means 60. It is desirable that a signature is settled on the cradle mechanism before it is moved therefrom. Thus, since the signatures settle quickly on the cradle mechanism, the speed of the conveyor means 60 may be relatively fast to reduce the overall time for feeding a signature to the conveyor 11. The conveyor means 60 comprises a pair of endless chain conveyors 61 and 62 which are spaced on opposite sides of the transfer drum 40 and intermediate the support members 55, 56.

The chain members 61, 62 are trained over rear sprocket members 63, 64, respectively, and over forward members 65, 66, respectively, to be described in detail hereinbelow. The sprocket members 63, 64 are carried by a shaft member 70 which is rotatable by suitable drive means, not shown. Upon rotation of the shaft 70, the sprockets 63, 64 -will be rotated to effect driving of the chains 61, 62 in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 2. The upper runs 61a, 62a of the chain conveyors 61, 62, respectively, have an arcuate configuration, similar to that described in connection with the support surfaces 57. A rear portion of the upper run closely approximates the curve of the drum 40, while the forward portion is at a greater curvature or inclined upwardly and around the drum 40 from the release point. The upper runs of the conveyors move in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the transfer drum at the release point. Suitable chain guide members 70, 71 which are of the desired arcuate configuration guide the upper runs 61a, 62a of the chains, respectively, so that they move through the desired predetermined arcuate path. The return runs of the conveyor chains 61, 62 are trained around suitable tesioning roller members which provide for tensioning the endless chains in a conventional manner.

The endless chains 61, 62 at spaced intervals carry pusher members 75 and, as best shown in FIG. 2, each of the chains 61, 62 carries four such pusher members 75. The pusher members 75 project from the chains and engage the backbone or folded edge of the signatures which rest upon the cradle mechanism and move the signatures along the surfaces 57 of the guide members 55, 56 and along the upper runs of the conveyors '61, 62 toward the side of the machine having the magazine 20 located thereon and the conveyor 11. This, of course, as can be seen effects movement of the signatures in a direction substantially opposite to the direction which the signatures were fed when moved to the cradle mechanism by the transfer drum 40.

The signatures which are fed by the conveyor chains 61, 62 toward the saddle conveyor 11 are still in a folded condition and are opened prior to their delivery to the conveyor 11. The signatures are opened by opener means 80 located above the conveyor 11 and beneath the magazine 20 and on the same side of the machine with the conveyor 11 and magazine 20. The opener means 80 comprises a pair of adjacent rotatable drum members 81, 82 which carry sucker members 83, 84, respectively, which engage the opposite sides of the folded signature and cooperate to effect opening of the signature by drawing the opposite sides of the signature apart.

The drum member 81 includes a plurality of disk or drum members including a main drum member 85 which carries the sucker member 83 and is provided with suitable suction conduit means 86 communicating with the suction members 83. The main drum 85 is suitably attached as by a pair of friction shoe means 88 to a shaft member 87, supported for rotation by the frame of the mechanism, and rotates with the shaft member 87. Each of the friction shoe means 88 includes a spring-loaded friction shoe 89 which frictionally engages shaft 87 and a suitable screw 89a engageable with a spring 8% acting between the screw 89a and the shoe '89. The frictional force applied by the shoe 89 to the shaft may be varied by changing the position of the screw 89a rela tive to the shoe 88 to cause compression or expansion of the spring 8%.

A circular disk member 90 is also supported on the shaft 87 and has a central hub portion 91 which has an opening through which the shaft 87 extends. The member 90 is secured to the member 85 by a plurality of screws 92 which extend through the hub portion 91 of the disk member 90 and into the member 85. The disk member 85 and the disk member 90 have axially spaced surfaces which define a channel 93 therebetween. Located in the channel 93 and specifically located within a suitable groove defined on one side by the disk member 90 and on the other side by the drum member 85 is a suitable ring or wear member forming the abovementioned forward member 66 around which the chain 62 is trained. A suitable collar member 98 is secured to the shaft member 87 and engages the other end of the disk member 90 and holds the disk member 90 from axial movement along the shaft 87. Moreover, the disk member 90 has a recess 99 in the axial surface thereof defined by an annular flange 100 which extends axially from the disk member 90 and encircles the shaft 87.

The axial side of the disk member 85 opposite the side to which the disk member 90 is secured is connected with another disk member 101 similar to the disk member 90. The disk member 101 has ahub portion 102 through which the shaft 87 extends. The hub portion 102 is secured to the member 85 by a plurality of screws 103 which extend through the hub portion 102 and into the drum member 85. The hub portion of the member 101 also has a passageway 104 therethrough which communicates with the passageway means 86 in the member 85. The disk member 101 also has an axially project ing flange portion 105 similar to the flange portion 100 in the drum 90 and which provides a recess 106 in the axial outermost end thereof. Moreover, the members 101 and 85 have axially spaced surfaces defining a channel 107 therebetween and a forward chain guide member 65 for chain 61 is located therein and comprises a ring member, as described in connection with the channel 93.

Secured to the disk member 101 is an axially elongated member 111 which encircles the shaft member 87 and extends therealong away from the disk member 101. The member 111 on the right side thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a flange 112 and the screws 103 extend through the flange 112 and through the hub 102 of the disk member 101 and into the disk 85 to thereby secure the member 111 to the disk member 101. The flange portion 112 of the member 111 which is secured to the disk member 101 has an opening 113 therethrough which communicates with the opening 104.

The opening 113 has a suitable flexible conduit connection secured therein and a conduit 114 is secured or positioned in the connection and extends along the member 111 to a petcock member 120 positioned at the opposite end of the member 111. The petcock member 120 is located in a groove in a flange 121 of the member 111 at the end of the member 111 opposite the end having the flange 112.

The suction for applying suction to the sucker members 83 is provided from a suitable pump, not shown. The pump is connected to the conduit 114 through a suitable valve mechanism 124. The valve mechanism 124 includes the rotatable disk member 125 which is rotated upon rotation of the shaft 87 and a stationary valve part 125a secured to the frame of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stationary valve part 125a has an arcuate groove 126 therein which is connected to a vacuum conduit 127, which in turn is connected to the vacuum pump. A suitable groove or recess in the member 125 and designated 128 in the drawings communicates with the atmosphere adjacent to the valve part 125a. The disk member 125 which rotates with the shaft 87 is biased by a suitable spring 129 into engagement with the valve part 125a and has an opening 130a, see FIG. 5, therein to which the petcock assembly 120 is secured. The opening 130a upon rotation communicates alternately with the groove 126 and the recess 128. It should be apparent that upon rotation of the shaft member 87, the disk member 125 is rotated due to the construction of the drum and the petcock which is connected to rotate with the drum 85 and effect rotation of the valve member 125. As the disk member rotates, the opening a comes into communication with the groove 126 which communicates with the suction connection 127 and applies a suction through the arcuate groove 126, opening 130a, petcock 120 and conduit 114 to the sucker members 83. As the opening 130a communicates with the recess 128, the sucker members are connected to the atmosphere so as to break the suction thereat. The size of the groove 126, of course, is such that suction will be applied to the grippers or the sucker members 83 when the signature is adjacent thereto so as to effect a gripping of the signature by the sucker members 83 and the suction is cut off at the time that the suction members pass beyond the conveyor 11 so as to release the signature for dropping toward the conveyor 11.

It should be apparent that the sucker members 83 engage the underside of a signature being fed by the chain conveyors 61, 62. The upper side of the signature is engaged by the sucker members 84 carried by the drum member 82. The drum member 82 is mounted for rotation on a shaft member 130. The drum member 82 is secured against movement on the shaft 130 axially thereof in a direction toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, by a collar member 131 secured to the shaft 130, and is releasably connected to the shaft member 130 for rotation therewith by suitable friction shoe means 132 similar to that described above in connection with drum 85 and which engage the shaft 130. The drum member has a suction passageway 140 formed with the sucker members 84 so as to apply suction to the sucker members 84 when suction is applied to the passageway 140.

The left end of the drum member 82 is secured to an elongated member 141 which is hollow and encircles the shaft 130. The right end of the elongated member 141 has a flange 142which extends outwardly from the shaft 130 and the flange 142 is secured to a similar flange carried by the drum member by suitable screws 144 which extend therethrough. The flange 141 has a suitable opening 145 therein which communicates with the passageway 140 in the drum member 82. The opening 145 has a suitable fluid connection secured therein and a fluid conduit 147 is connected thereto and extends along the member 141 and engages a petcock assembly 148 which is secured to a rotatable disk member 149 forming a part of a valve mechanism 150 for controlling the suction to the sucker members 84.

The member 141 has a flange member on the left side thereof designated 151 similar to the flange 121 described in connection with the member 111. The flange member 151 has a recess or groove therein in which the petcock assembly 148 is positioned. A spring member 153 is positioned between the disk member 149 and the flange 151 urging the disk member 149 into engagement with a stationary part 160 of the valve mechanism 150.

The stationary part 160 of the valve mechanism 150, as shown in FIG. 4, comprises a part of the same casting as the base portion 125a of the valve 125. The base portion 160 has an arcuate groove 161 therein which communicates with the suction passageway 127 in the base portion and which, in turn, is connected to the suction pump as described above. A recess 162 in the member 124 communicates with the atmosphere. As the disk member 149 rotates relative to the base member 160, an opening in the disk member 149 which is similar in construction to the disk member 125 communicates with the arcuate passageway 161 and applies a vacuum to the sucker members 84 and when the opening in the member 149 communicates with the opening 162 in the base member 160, it applies atmospheric pressure to the sucker members 84.

From the above description, it should be apparent that as the one side of a signature 13 is engaged by the sucker member 83 and drawn down around the drum 85, the other side of the signature is engaged by the sucker member 84 and as the sucker members 83, 84 rotate, the opposite sides of the signature are drawn away from each other and the signature is opened. The suction on the sucker members 83, 84 is terminated at substantially the same time so that the opposite sides of the opened signature are released for dropping onto a stationary saddle member 170 located beneath the opener drums. As is well known, the conveyor 11 carries a plurality of pusher members which engage the signatures as they rest on the saddle members 170 and remove the signatures from the saddle members and convey the signatures from the saddle members and convey the signatures to a binding station.

The signatures which are delivered to the conveyor 11 at the various stations may vary substantially in size. Often short signatures, that is, short depth signatures, the depth of a signature being the vertical dimension thereof as shown in FIG. 2, serve as inserts in a pamphlet or book which is being assembled. When short depth inserts or difierent sized inserts are being handled, certain adjustments must be accomplished so as to effect the proper delivery of the signature to the conveyor 11 so that the signature arrives on the saddle 170 prior to the pusher on the conveyor 11 reaching the position for engaging the insert.

By the present invention, this adjustment may be accomplished in a relatively quick and easy manner by simply adjusting the position of the drums 81, 82 or more specifically, the sucker members 83, 84 on their respective shafts so that the pusher members 75 on the chain conveyors 61, 62 are located closer to the sucker members or farther from the sucker members 83 when the sucker members are in the position shown in FIG. 2, in which position they take the signatures. In other words, if the drum member 81 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the dot-dash arrow in FIG. 2, about the shaft member 87, the sucker members 83 will be rotated in a direction opposite the direction of the movement of the chain conveyors and the pusher members 75 will be located closer to the sucker members 83 when the sucker members reach the position shown in FIG. 2 to engage the signature. Thus, if a short signature is being handled, the suction members 83 will be properly positioned to engage the signature even if short.

The drum member 81 may be moved relative to the shaft 87 by the operator by manually gripping the drum and rotating it relative to the shaft 87 so as to overcome the frictional force applied by the friction shoe means 88. The drum member 82 may be moved relative to the shaft member by simply rotating the drum member relative to the shaft by overcoming the frictional force applied by the friction shoe means 132 so as to position sucker members '83-on the shaft at any position wherein the sucker members will properly engage the signature, depending upon the size of the signature. The manual gripping of the drum member 81 for adjustment purposes is facilitated by the flange members 100, 105.

Upon adjustment of the drum members 81 and 82 relative to their shafts 87 and 130, as described hereinabove, simultaneously, the proper adjustment of the valve means 124, is effected, and the mechanism provides for a single adjustment which effects an adjustment of the position of the sucker members, as well as to provide the proper timing of the operation of the valve mechanisms. The adjustment of the valve means is provided by the mechanical interconnection between the drum members 81, 82 and the disk members 125, 149, respectively, of the valve mechanisms. This mechanical interconnection is provided by the petcock members 148 and 120, respectively, which, in turn, are positioned in grooves in the flanges 121 and 151 and which are secured to the drum members. Thus, upon movement of the drum members, the petcocks will likewise be moved relative to shafts 87 and 130 and the petcocks will carry the disk members 125 and 149 relative to their stationary valve members and relative to the shafts on which they are mounted. This, of course, will cause a change in.the point at which suction is applied to the sucker members 83 and 84 so that suction is applied at the proper time in the sequence of operation of the machine. Thus, it can be seen that the position of the sucker members 83, 84 is never changed with respect to the valve disks 125 and 149 and a simultaneous adjustment of the valve timing and the position of the sucker members is effected for handling of different sized signatures.

While the opener drums 8'1, 82 are described hereinabove as being of the suction type, it should be apparent that opener drums of the impaler pin type might be used with certain features of the present invention. Specifically, either or both of the drums 8'1, 82 of the present invention may include such pin members projecting outwardly thereof and which are located so as not to interfere with the operation of the suction members, and may be used with the suction off.

It should be apparent from the above description that the signature handling mechanism requires little floor space in view of the fact that the magazine 20, opener drums 81, 82 and signature conveyor ;11 or saddle conveyor are located on the same side of the machine. Thus,

the operator at the loading station required to fill the magazine with signatures to replenish the supply therein is positioned on the same side of the machine from which adjustments to the machine are made and observation of the operation of the machine is made; Thus, the rear portion of the machine or the side of the machine located to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 may be placed against a wall or another machine without the need for space therebetween for an operator.

It should be further understood that the present invention has been described hereinabove in considerable detail and that various modifications, adaptations, and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it relates from the description thereinabove and that it is intended to hereby cover all such changes, modi fications, and adaptations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A signature handling mechanism comprising a magazine for supporting a supply of signatures on their folded edge and adapted to receive additional signatures upon depletion of the signatures in the magazine, a signature transfer drum means operable to grip the folded edge of a signature and take the signature from the magazine and convey the signature around the periphery of the drum away from said magazine to a release point, support means having a support surface curved at least in part around a portion of said drum lying adjacent said release point for receiving and supporting a signature released therefrom, endless conveyor means having a run lying adjacent said release point and moving in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said drum at said release point and associated with said support means for conveying a signature supported thereon to a signature opening station.

2. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 1 further comprising signature opener means at said signature opening station including suction members movable to grip opposite sides of a signature and to move the sides of the signature apart and valve means for controlling the suction to the sucker members and including a stationary valve part and a movable valve part associated with the stationary valve part to control suction therethrough upon movement thereof and movable with the sucker members and operable to control the application of suction thereto and a mechanical interconnection between said sucker members and said movable valve part to provide for simultaneous adjustment of said sucker members and said movable valve part.

3. A signature handling mechanism comprising a magazine supporting a supply of signatures, transfer drum means supported adjacent to the signature magazine and having gripper members operable to grip the leading edge of a signature and to take the signature from said magazine and convey the signature around the periphery of the transfer drum to a signature release point, support means positioned adjacent to said drum and having a surface for receiving a released signature, said surface being curved around at least a part of the transfer drum and defining a channel between the periphery of the transfer drum and the surface and which converges toward said release point, a portion of said surface providing a support for the trailing edge of a signature when it settles onto the support upon release of the leading edge of the signature, and conveyor means movable relative to said surface for moving said signature therefrom.

4. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless conveyor having an upper run lying adjacent to said transfer drum at said release point and which is curved around said transfer drum with a curvature similar to the curvature of said surface.

5. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said endless conveyor includes a pusher member movable to engage a signature located on said support for moving the signature therefrom.

6. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said magazine supports said signature on the folded edge thereof which edge is gripped by said gripper members and said pusher member is movable to engage said folded edge of said signature.

7. In a signature handling mechanism, signature opener means located at a signature opening station and including first and second sucker members operable to engage opposite sides of a signature and movable to move the sides of the signature apart, said first and second sucker members being connected to first and second shaft members respectively and movable upon rotation of said shaft members and movable relative to said shaft members for adjustment purposes, valve means for controlling the suction to said sucker members and including a stationary valve part and a movable valve part movable with said sucker members and operable to control the application of suction thereto, and a mechanical interconnection between said sucker members and said movable valve part so as to provide simultaneous adjustment of said sucker members and said movable valve part relative to said shaft.

8. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein said mechanical interconnection comprises an elongated member fixedly connected to said sucker member and extending along said shaft toward said valve part, fluid conduit means connected to said valve part and positioned in a groove in said elongated member whereby rotation of said sucker members about said shaft causes rotation of said elongated member and said fluid conduit about said shaft with the movement of said fluid conduit effecting movement of said movable valve part.

9. A signature handling mechanism comprising a saddle conveyor for receiving signatures, a magazine supportting a supply of signatures mounted in an overlying relation to said saddle conveyor and adapted to receive signatures on depletion of the supply of signatures therein, said magazine and saddle conveyor being located in a generally vertical array adjacent an operators station, a signature transfer drum means cooperating with said magazine to feed signatures from the magazine and convey the signatures downwardly around the periphery of the drum to a release point spaced laterally of the magazine, support means located adjacent said release point for receiving and supporting a signature released from said drum, endless conveyor means extending under said transfer drum and cooperating with said support means and driven in a direction to feed a signature toward said operators station to a signature opening station accessible to an operator at said operators station, and signature opener means interposed between said magazine and said saddle conveyor at said signature opening station for receiving a signature from said endless conveyor means and operable to open the signature and release the signature for receipt by the saddle conveyor.

10. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said support means has a support surface curved around at least a part of the lower portion of said transfer drum and said endless conveyor means has a portion thereof curved around at least a lower portion of said drum and extending coextensively with at least a part of the curved portion of said support surface.

11. A signature handling mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said signature opener means comprises at least one sucker member operable to engage one side of a signature and movable to move one side of the signature away from the other side thereof, a shaft member supporting said sucker member, means releasably connecting said sucker member to said shaft member for rotation therewith and releasable to provide for movement of said sucker member relative to said shaft member,

1 1 valve means for controlling the suction to said sucker member and including a stationary valve part and a movable valve part movable relative to said stationary valve part with said sucker member, and a mechanical interconnecting means between said sucker member and said 5 movable valve part for efiecting simultaneous adjustment of said sucker member and said movable valve part relative to said shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,489 6/ 1940 Kleineberg et a1 27054 2,025,527 12/1935 Schramm 270-55 3,008,705 11/1961 Heigl et a1. a 27054 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. NELISON M. ELLISON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SIGNATURE HANDLING MECHANISM COMPRISING A MAGAZINE FOR SUPPORTING A SUPPLY OF SIGNATURES ON THEIR FOLDED EDGE AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES UPON DEPLETION OF THE SIGNATURES IN THE MAGAZINE, A SIGNATURE TRANSFER DRUM MEANS OPERABLE TO GRIP THE FOLDED EDGE OF A SIGNATURE AND TAKE THE SIGNATURE FROM THE MAGAZINE AND CONVEY THE SIGNATURE AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF THE DRUM AWAY FROM SAID MAGAZINE TO A RELEASE POINT, SUPPORT MEANS HAVING A SUPPORT SURFACE CURVED AT LEAST IN PART AROUND A PORTION OF SAID DRUM LYING ADJACENT SAID RELEASE POINT FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING A SIGNATURE RELEASED THEREFROM, ENDLESS CONVEYOR MEANS HAVING A RUN LYING ADJACENT SAID RELEASE POINT AND MOVING IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SAID DRUM AT SAID RELEASE POINT AND ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR CONVEYING A SIGNATURE SUPPORTED THEREON TO A SIGNATURE OPENING STATION. 